DarkFruitsRam7

I have just been thinking, I hope I haven't gone too early. I'm having horrible visions of being rinsed on Twitter by Forest fans, like @David was by Leeds a few years back (still my favourite day ever).

As I woke up tired and hungover this morning, I had a thought. While it's always great hearing stories about the glory days of the 70s, the iconic 80s and the fun 90s, there's a whole generation of Derby fans who have only ever known disappointment. I myself had my first season ticket in the 2006/07 Billy Davies season, but I was too young to properly appreciate it.
Since then, it's been a mix of hope, heartbreak and 'nearly' moments. Our generation of supporters have witnessed other clubs' fans celebrating siuccess (sometimes at our expense), but we find it difficult to fathom what it would actually feel like for Derby to ever get over the line.
Yesterday, as I walked back back to the bus with my arm round my mate's shoulder, belting Derby songs at the top of our voices, I had the first taste of what it might feel like to experience success as a Derby fan. This morning, I started making preparations for post-game jaegerbombs and cigars next weekend. And thinking about how I'll be raising a glass to the lad that we all miss. 
We're not over the line yet. But I'm well into dreaming territory. And for us fans who aren't old enough to know glory, it's going to be oh so sweet.
Up the Rams.

Those were pretty much the exact words he shouted at me minutes after beating Leeds in the play offs.

Very much hope @DarkFruitsRam7is right with this fine thread and hasn't gone too soon. And, yes, I was going to post Martine too, but beaten to it. And a big happy birthday to @Ellafella! 
Our moments seem so very rare because we do have an amazing propensity to throw it away at the death. Because of which I'm a little surprised at the confidence on the forum this last couple of weeks - but so far justified. I'm not counting any chickens until the fat lady has sung at Pride Park on Saturday. After which I hope to revel with the rest of you in a perfect moment. I've only seen two promotions live before - Palace and the playoffs. Very much hoping for a hattrick! 
As I can't post Martine, here's a much more inspiring vocal to get Rams pulses racing. For this one moment in time... 
 

This is beautiful
 

Those were pretty much the exact words he shouted at me minutes after beating Leeds in the play offs.

As I woke up tired and hungover this morning, I had a thought. While it's always great hearing stories about the glory days of the 70s, the iconic 80s and the fun 90s, there's a whole generation of Derby fans who have only ever known disappointment. I myself had my first season ticket in the 2006/07 Billy Davies season, but I was too young to properly appreciate it.
Since then, it's been a mix of hope, heartbreak and 'nearly' moments. Our generation of supporters have witnessed other clubs' fans celebrating siuccess (sometimes at our expense), but we find it difficult to fathom what it would actually feel like for Derby to ever get over the line.
Yesterday, as I walked back back to the bus with my arm round my mate's shoulder, belting Derby songs at the top of our voices, I had the first taste of what it might feel like to experience success as a Derby fan. This morning, I started making preparations for post-game jaegerbombs and cigars next weekend. And thinking about how I'll be raising a glass to the lad that we all miss. 
We're not over the line yet. But I'm well into dreaming territory. And for us fans who aren't old enough to know glory, it's going to be oh so sweet.
Up the Rams.

This is beautiful
 

Probably fair. This place would catch fire if we go up Saturday and he says "i wish it was Rotherham"

Daniel Storey one of the better Forest fan journos. John Percy probably writing an article now about how the price rises show incredible ambition by the owners. 

And to paraphrase one of the other posts
 

Unless it`s a team we have bad history with, then seeing them get promoted, even during such an awful season for us, is
something I`d be happy for them if it happened. Derby have been down in L1 a while now, and if they go up, they`ll have
earnt it, and their fans will be ecstatic after the match.

Which means they`re less likely to want to beat any of us up, and any of ours who are in Derby afterwards, would probably
have a great time enjoying the celebrations with them, into the night, and might not even have to pay for drinks !

I like this side of football, when 2 sets of fans can come together, and just enjoy the game, and those special moments.
 
Exactly!
I really can't understand why people feel bitterness towards another club simply because they've done well and have got promoted?
I met a few Derby fans in 'Spoons' before our home clash with them earlier this season, and they were as sound as a pound, even taking the 'Mickey' out of a mate of mine because he is Scottish (nowt wrong with that, is there ??)
If we had some sort of rivalry with them then fair enough, but ............'DERBY COUNTY!!!!!!!!', they couldn't even beat us when they won the 1st Div (Premier League) title all those years ago. 
Anyway, we're stopping in Derby over the weekend, so looking forward to sinking a few pints with them afterwards.
COYB
TAKEN OFF THE CARLISLE FC FORUM

Those were pretty much the exact words he shouted at me minutes after beating Leeds in the play offs.

Good to see. But the marketer in me can't resist saying they need a better website!

I've no idea, saw the ones waving flags yesterday and didn't recognise any of them. Believe they are all South Standers, though, and hang out in The White Horse with Joey Greener pre-match. 
They are fairly organised, have a website and all. 
I think they're doing a great job so far.
https://www.popsiderams.com/menu/events

Assuming the club have sent a luxury hamper to Simmo's house, just to remind him how much we appreciated him when he played here of course.

Are you sure it wasn't Thommo in his carry-cot?

Spot on angie , im getting to that age too ,where if you peg it people say a bit young but no massive surprise, live it and enjoy the good stuff ,,,, 90 mins every week where I feel alive ,excited, euphoric, gutted and happy to be sat next to my lovely wife having a lovely day away from work and stress

That’s the position I am in. I was ‘around’ for the promotion in 96 but too young to remember or appreciate it. And although I’ve technically been to the BBG, too young to appreciate it again.
For those who witnessed previous successes, I have nothing but jealousy. But for people like me, my entire experience of Derby County has been misery, disappointment and heartbreak. Where I grew up, it was all Premier League clubs, nobody even supported the ‘nearest’ professional team because Plymouth was still too far away. I’d go into school on sports days in my Derby County shirt, and get laughed at by those wearing United, Liverpool or Arsenal shirts.
To experience success, an outpouring of joy and probably relief,  at Pride Park, is going to be special.
I’m sure lots of people here have other interests outside of football and Derby County, I don’t really. I’m not really into other sports, for me football & this club is everything. Since Covid really, it’s been hard. From not being able to go to watch, to then being plunged into administration & feeling like we were kind of Death Row waiting for the inevitable was very, very hard.
We’re going to do the job on Saturday and I can’t even begin to imagine how good that’s going to feel. 

What a way for him to go as well. Too young, but to see people paying tribute to your life across multiple countries while you’re alive must be special.

I got pelters in school when they were doing well and Derby kept messing up promotion. Developed a bit of a hatred for them after previously wanting them to do well. Now, having long since left school and with them having less to shout about, the hatred has cooled to not really caring either way.

This is beautiful
 

Missed the word 'their' 
In my defence I was distracted by a flapjack 

So your user name references amsterdam not as i had thought a cockney mad hamster 😂

The spirit of B4 😃